How do you define life?

Question

how do you define something as being alive and how do you decide if something is alive or not alive

Answer 1

That is actually pretty tough to do. Things like viruses are arguably both alive and not alive. There isn't a real clear line.

Answer 2

If you see an animal smashed on the road , is loaded with maggots , and has a terrible smell , you can be quite sure that it's not alive . It's dead .
If you see a dog that is either dead or sleeping , as you approach , he leaps up and gives you a nasty bite , he is alive. It's not dead .
It really isn't that difficult . If your body feels warm and you have a strong pulse , there's a good chance that you're alive - - - well , maybe not in your case .

Answer 3

Life is the whole collective process of a system of existence. Something is alive when it shows that the contributive elements of such an existence are present and are properly and harmoniously functioning. If these elements are lacking or not functioning properly because of some internal or external factors, then that will gradually lose its balance and eventually cease to be.

Answer 4

If it moves it's a live and since ever thing is made up of molecules which are in a constant state of movement ever thing is alive.
It is life if it changes or moves you in any way shape or form whether it is a rock formation at the base of a mountian or a city sky line. If it causes you to have a strong emotional reaction it is life.

Answer 5

An entity which consumes elements from the surrounding environment for the purpose of self-preservation.

Answer 6

in my definition, something is alive if it has living cells, and can sustain itself given proper conditions...

Answer 7

Only the National Organization for Women can do that.

The rest of us aren't qualified.

Answer 8

life is something that was given to you,by your Mother how you live is another thing

Answer 9

made of cells, can reproduce (or is the product of reproduction), respires, consumes, expels